NationStates Jolt Archive

Seriously, a small studio in Camberra called Prophecy Games got funding for their game Under Pressure from the Australian goverment and the Capital Territory government. Now, they got private investment from some publisher, I guess.

Kotaku article: http://kotaku.com/5115361/how-to-pitch-a-current+gen-game-with-eight-guys-and-government-money?skyline=true&s=x
So, is this the first time that a government funds a game, or what?

The US Army funds America Army, so no it's not the first time.

http://www.americasarmy.com/

So, is this the first time that a government funds a game, or what?

US Government provided funding for the America's Army games.

US Government provided funding for the America's Army games.

Beat ya to it!

The US Army funds America Army, so no it's not the first time.

http://www.americasarmy.com/

US Government provided funding for the America's Army games.

Yeah, but that was basically propaganda. Seriously, how can a zombie game be connected to the govenment?

Beat ya to it!

By roughly 2 seconds.

Yeah, but that was basically propaganda. Seriously, how can a zombie game be connected to the govenment?

You didn't say "and wasn't propaganda", you just asked if any game has been funded by government.

Also, the Zombie Apocalypse is coming soon, so the Australian government is doing the smart thing by funding a game that could educate the citizen on how to survive such an event!

Yeah, but that was basically propaganda. Seriously, how can a zombie game be connected to the govenment?

It still counts as government funding for a video game :p. And to be honest, they were fun games even if the voice acting sucked more than a porn actress.

You didn't say "and wasn't propaganda", you just asked if any game has been funded by government.

Also, the Zombie Apocalypse is coming soon, so the Australian government is doing the smart thing by funding a game that could educate the citizen on how to survive such an event!

And pedantism strikes again!

It still counts as government funding for a video game :p. And to be honest, they were fun games even if the voice acting sucked more than a porn actress.

I never got through the tutorial! Man, I suck. I wonder how much would I lose in Ninja Gaiden. And, is this important?

I never got through the tutorial! Man, I suck. I wonder how much would I lose in Ninja Gaiden. And, is this important?

Not really no.

To make a valid answer to the OP, in these hard financial times perhaps the government hoped to get some kind of return by funding the company. Perhaps they think that by giving it money and helping it succeed then eventually it will create more high paying technology jobs.

The answer in this instance is simple. It looks to be a kick-ass game, we have a (sometimes) kick-ass government, therefore the two go together naturally.

Also, I imagine this is just part of the government's funding for arts and culture. They give money to music schools and performance studios, to dance studios and art galleries and everything else in the creative world, so I imagine this is more of the same, only with a potential return on their investment in both monetary and social value.

Seriously, a small studio in Camberra called Prophecy Games got funding for their game Under Pressure from the Australian goverment and the Capital Territory government. Now, they got private investment from some publisher, I guess.

Kotaku article: http://kotaku.com/5115361/how-to-pitch-a-current+gen-game-with-eight-guys-and-government-money?skyline=true&s=x
So, is this the first time that a government funds a game, or what?

First Person > Third Person, IMO.

i was a little drunk i though it was suggesting Aus funded the gunman on the grassy knoll

3rd person shooters are probably the worst genre of video games ever, unless it involves mainly sneaking (hitman, splinter cell, mgs...).

I wonder how much would I lose in Ninja Gaiden. Very badly, I would suspect. :p

Pokemon, yeah! (http://theangryblackwoman.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/electionpokemonwhodoyouchoose.gif)

Isn't this a bit like the Canadian government funding Trailer Park Boys?